Man United starting XI v Bournemouth: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Manchester United face late calls before Bournemouth test at Old Trafford

Manchester United head into Monday night’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth surrounded by uncertainty, selection dilemmas and the familiar hum of anticipation that follows Ruben Amorim’s side at Old Trafford. Fitness, availability and timing all play their part, with United balancing domestic ambition against the growing pull of international duty, while Bournemouth arrive seeking to exploit any hesitation.

At the centre of attention is Benjamin Sesko, whose potential return could reshape United’s attacking options. Amorim, meticulous and measured, continues to weigh his choices carefully, knowing that marginal gains often decide tight league fixtures. Against a Bournemouth side that thrives on tempo and pressure, clarity may arrive late, but preparation has been ongoing.

Benjamin Sesko recovery offers cautious optimism

Sesko has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury during United’s dramatic 2-2 draw away at Tottenham on November 8. Initially ruled out for a “few weeks”, the Slovenian striker’s progress has encouraged belief that his comeback may arrive earlier than first feared. His agent, Elvis Basanovic, offered reassurance this week, sayingmorim

, “Benjamin is feeling very well. His rehabilitation is progressing according to plan.

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“It’s hard to say precisely when he will return. That will be up to the medical staff and the manager, but I think we’ll see him back on the pitch very soon. Maybe even sooner than expected.”

That optimism has been tempered by a recent illness, leaving Amorim to urge patience. “We have to see if he’s available,” Amorim said on Friday. “He had some [food] poisoning, but we’ll see. Let’s wait. We have two trainings still.” For Manchester United, the decision is finely balanced, risk management against the lure of restoring a powerful focal point in attack.

Amorim weighs attacking options against Bournemouth

Sesko’s absence initially opened the door for Joshua Zirkzee, though the narrative shifted emphatically at Molineux. United’s 4-1 demolition of rock-bottom Wolves showcased Matheus Cunha as the central attacking figure, supported by Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo. The movement was sharp, the execution ruthless, and it offered a blueprint Amorim may be reluctant to abandon.

That structure appears likely again against Bournemouth if Sesko is not fit to start. The added complication comes from the Africa Cup of Nations, with United negotiating to keep key players for one final club appearance. Amorim confirmed discussions were ongoing regarding Cameroon’s Mbeumo, Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo.

“I expect today to have a decision or maybe tomorrow but we are waiting until the last moment to have all the players available, to choose the best team to start the game,” he said. Bournemouth, well drilled and fearless on the counter, will sense opportunity if United are forced into late reshuffles.

Defensive reshuffle shapes United selection

At the back, the picture is clearer. Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt will not feature against Bournemouth. Maguire has been absent with a hamstring injury since the Spurs match, while De Ligt is managing a back issue that has required caution.

“Maguire is out, De Ligt is out,” Amorim said. “I think he [De Ligt] has something in his back, I don’t know for sure. Sometimes you see it’s not a big injury because he finished the game quite well against Crystal Palace, but he has some pain.

“You sometimes think it will be solved during this week, but sometimes he feels a little bit of pain and we have to be a little careful with that.”

Teenager Ayden Heaven was handed another start at Wolves despite a difficult outing against West Ham, though competition is intensifying. Leny Yoro and the fit-again Lisandro Martinez are pushing hard, adding depth and urgency to Amorim’s defensive thinking.

As Manchester United prepare to face Bournemouth under the lights at Old Trafford, the margins are slim. Fitness updates, international negotiations and tactical balance all converge, shaping a contest that promises intrigue well beyond the team sheet.